The I.M. Pei Building at 1105 N. Market Street has been famous for decades due to its nationally recognized architect. The Class A office building now welcomes an equally impressive high-end coffee shop with a design that compliments its surrounding sophistication.

I.M. Coffee is now open within the space and is open to the public. The shop offers craft coffee, organic smoothies and prepared foods. Complimentary Wifi is available within the space.

Now with over 50 employees, and making a major impact within the community, Downtown Visions’ Director of Administration, Loshawn Maxwell, has fond memories of the organization’s humble beginnings and is proud of how far it has come in her 24 years with the company. She and the company have grown up together. Coming from a small town in Maryland, Loshawn overcame her shyness, became more assertive and adapted to the ever-evolving needs of Downtown Visions.

Q. What does your job role encompass at Downtown Visions?

A.“As the Director of Administration I manage all the administrative and financial responsibilities for the company, as well as, act as a human resource liaison and provide benefits administration.”

Q. What made you decide to work for Downtown Visions?

A.“I attended Goldey-Beacom College and upon graduation I saw the job post for an Office Assistant. I applied and interviewed for the position. The Managing Director of Wilmington 2000 (founding organization of Downtown Visions) thought I would be great for the position and hired me on the spot. It also didn’t hurt that at the time he sat on the Board of Directors of the College.”

Q. What is one of your favorite moments within your career at Downtown Visions?

A.“Honestly, the journey to where I am today. I was able to, and continue to grow so much personally and professionally.”

Q. What project that Downtown Visions was involved in are you most proud of?

A.“Holistically, the mission to create, manage and promote a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Wilmington. The purpose is what drives me, as it is all for the greater good. I also enjoyed working on the committee that planned our 20th anniversary celebration.”

Q.Where do you see Downtown Visions in 5 years?

A.“I see the organization continuing to be the go-to organization, growing our partnerships, having more relationships and building bridges between all of the great people and companies making a difference Downtown. We have seen so much change, and there are so many great people involved.”

Q. What is your favorite activity or place in Downtown Wilmington?

A.“My favorite activity is walking down Market Street and restaurant hopping, enjoying cocktails at one place, dinner at another.”

Q. What do you like to do outside of work?

A.“I love spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling. My favorite place to travel is to the Caribbean or anywhere warm.”

It has been a great year for our city and we want to take a moment to celebrate some of the major milestones. While we are only referencing events within the Downtown Visions Business Improvement District, there have been many, many more city-wide impactful moments as well.

Thank you to the City of Wilmington’s major game changers for their immense contribution this year. Organizations such as the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, NewMarketWilm.com, DE.TV, INWilm, and many, many more are making sure Wilmington continues to grow and thrive for generations to come. To all those individuals and businesses, the Downtown Visions team is extremely grateful for you!

The Wilmington Jaycees are currently planning for the 55th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade to be held in Downtown Wilmington on Saturday, November 24th at 11am. This year’s Parade will again feature:

And the Star of the Show – Santa Claus! Elves will be accepting Christmas wish lists from children for Santa. Children who provide their name and address will receive a response from Santa in December.

2. Small Business Saturday November 24th 2018 Various Shops in Downtown Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Following the Wilmington Jaycees Christmas parade, start the shopping season by supporting local businesses that create jobs, boost our economy, and preserve neighborhoods around our country. The Market Street corridor is full of unique shops and dining experiences. There will be some surprise pop up shops as well!

Please join Mike Purzycki - Mayor of the City of Wilmington, and Acting Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz for Wilmington’s official lighting tree lighting and caroling to kick-off the holiday season. Get in the holiday spirit with your friends, on Tuesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. in historic Rodney Square at 10th and North Market Streets.

Gather with family, friends and neighbors at this popular gathering to get into the holiday spirit while helping those in need. Mayor Mike Purzycki and members of City Council will light the City’s Tree, and sing holiday carols led by local choral groups.

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware is pleased to reopen The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink for its 5th season. This family-oriented, outdoor ice skating rink provides fun for all ages! The 2018/2019 season will operate November 23rd through the end of March 4, 2019. The Riverfront Rink is able to accommodate approximately 350 skaters at once and will be open 7 days a week with extended hours during the holiday break. The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink not only brings the fun winter tradition of skating to the Wilmington Riverfront, it will also offer numerous programs and promotions throughout the skating season. Lace up your skates and we’ll see you at the rink!

5. The 52nd Annual Nutcracker at The Playhouse on Rodney Square December 8th and 9th 2018

This holiday season, be treated to something very special, a performance that lifts your holiday spirits and evokes joy in kids of all ages. Wilmington’s beloved annual holiday tradition at the Playhouse on Rodney Square turns 52 this year! Come to our Nutcracker and experience an opulent theater with a full orchestra and chorus, world class guest artists, and 100 talented dancers from the Wilmington Ballet and the HAC School of Dance. Follow the dancers as they party, battle, and enchant you with their beautiful dancing. Make The Nutcracker a part of your family’s holiday tradition, and experience the magic of this beautiful, timeless ballet.

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage The Grand, Copeland Hall Saturday, December 8th 2018

Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in the all-new touring production A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE is a present the whole family can enjoy!

Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better magic of the season.

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is a new cirque adventure, Broadway musical and family holiday spectacular wrapped in one! This incomparable phenomenon features over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

Audiences of all ages will be mesmerized for 2 hours and marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails “Entrancing…Las Vegas meets family entertainment."

When one hears “Downtown Visions” they may think of the friendly folks in yellow that are safety ambassadors downtown, or the cleaning ambassadors keeping everything tidy in the city, but what they may not realize is that is only the tip of the ice-burg when it comes to all of the services Downtown Visions provides.

Downtown Visions Executive Director, Martin Hageman explains how it all began and how thrilled he is to be able to tell his grandchildren that he was a part of the helping hands that made Wilmington, DE what it is today.

Q. How did Downtown Visions begin?

A. “In 1993 a group of individuals got together from the corporations because they saw the City was struggling because retail had dramatically changed. People went to the mall or shopping plazas to get what they needed. Historically, when Downtown Wilmington was booming it was an epicenter of retail shops-now it needed a new position. I saw the restaurants and the arts as strengths and destinations for the city. Places like A.R. Morris,Govatos and Als were the only remaining retailers on Market Street. I knew if we could make it a welcoming, clean, safe place it would turn a corner. Back then there were around 12 Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) in the U.S. and Wilmington, DE was one of them. Now there are around 2,000. I left the police department in November of 1994 and needed to train the first set of Safety Ambassadors by Christmas. It was a tough, but I did it and our team of ambassadors immediately made an impact. From then on, crime decreased within the BID. That was the first step. So much more came following.”

Q. What is your proudest moment here at Downtown Visions?

A. “There have been many, from training and hiring the first set of Safety Ambassadors to installing our video surveillance cameras which was a model for Homeland Security in 2001. The video surveillance program grew from there. Where the Downtown Farmers Market is today has also been incredibly meaningful. In the height of the season between 10 and 2 PM on a Wednesday in the summer 5,000 people visit the Market. Watching the Main Street Program help entrepreneurs and small businesses set roots downtown has also been rewarding.”

Q. What do you believe has been Downtown Visions greatest impact on the local community?

A. “Providing a safe and clean environment downtown that has made it easier for developers, restaurants and retailers to come downtown, being a catalyst for economic development.”

Q. What services do you think individuals are not aware of that Downtown Visions offers?

A.”Many people don’t realize we offer a Safety Escort Service that is completely free. We also have Facade Improvement Programs and grants for new businesses. Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference. Our Cleaning Ambassadors are removing graffiti, posters, stickers, leaves and constantly emptying the trash bins downtown.”

Q. How has the BID improved over the years?

A.”It has dramatically changed through the developers that have been willing to invest Downtown. Groups like The Buccini/Pollin Group that have created residential buildings. With a critical mass of residents, we are now a 24 hour downtown and a true community. The area today is vibrant with arts, residential, entertainment and retail.”

Q. What differences do you see in the Business Improvement District in 2020?

A.”We will continue to see a community of people that live, work and play downtown.”

Q. What is your favorite Downtown Visions annual event?

A. “The Farmer’s Market in Rodney Square. It brings associates out of their buildings and gives them a chance to not only enjoy the market, but also see all of the positive things happening downtown.”